Omaha Beginners:

1. Omaha Poker is a fast paced adaptation of Texas Hold’em. At the start of a hand, the player to the immediate left of the dealer posts the small blind, and the player to their left posts the big blind. Once the blinds are posted, dealing commences.
   
   
2. Note: The Dealer’s position at the table changes after every hand, rotating to the left. The dealer-button shows the Dealer’s position at the table.
   
   
3. Four cards are dealt face down (pocket or hole cards) for each player, beginning with the player to the left of the dealer (who posted the small blind) and ending with the Dealer. Players are able to see only their own four cards.
   
   
4. The first round of betting commences with the player to the left of the big blind. Players choose to either call,raise or fold.
   
   
5. All players bet in order through to the player to the left of the Dealer (who posted the small blind). In order to call, this player needs only to bet enough money, which added to the small blind already posted, will equal the minimum bet.
   
   
6. The big blind is the last player to act. If no other player has raised, the Dealer will ask the big blind if they would like to do so. The big blind has the option to either raise or just check.
   
   
7. After the completion of the first betting round the Flop occurs. This is when three cards are dealt face up in the center of the table. These cards are community or board cards and can be used by all players.
   
   
8. Once the flop has occurred, another round of betting commences where players elect to check, call, raise or fold. Betting begins with the player to the left of the dealer.
   
   
9. Following the second round of betting, the dealer turns a fourth card face up in the middle of the table. This is known as the Turn. Another round of betting begins. This betting round often sees the bet size doubled.
   
   
10. After the Turn round of betting, the Dealer places a fifth and final community card face up in the center of the table. This is referred to as the River. The final round of betting commences.
    
    
11. After the final round of betting, all remaining players begin to reveal their hands, starting with the player to the left of the last player to call. This is known as the Showdown.
    
    
12. Each player must use only two of their four hole or pocket cards, and three of the five community cards to form the best five-card poker hand possible.
    
    
13. The player with the best hand is declared the winner and wins the pot

Strategy

In Omaha the player with the best poker hand will ultimately win the pot. As three community cards and two pocket cards are required for your final hand, it is best to consider your pocket cards and the community cards collectively and not as two separate entities.

Once the flop has been dealt seven of the total nine cards will be viewable – four pocket cards in your hand, and three community cards on the table. You will now have a good indication of how strong your hand is looking for the final round.

It is ultimately to your advantage to only continue to bet if your hand looks strong after the flop round, or if you have reason to believe that continuing to bet may cause your opponents to fold.